Machines for making envelopes



June 17, 1969 J. J. DOHNALIK MACHINES FOR MAKING ENVELOPES Sheet FiledNov. 4, 1966 KNS RUMM @AUM INEL .E 0 MDMW [MMM ATTORNEYS June 17, 1969J. LDOHNALIK MACHINES FOR MAKING ENVELOPES Sheet Filed Nov. 4, 196e INVE NT OR.

IIIIUHHHHH S MMM AMM NUI. D, m8, HEM P/ O EDB @ma JPS ATTORNEYS June 17,1969 J. J. DoHNALlK MACHINES FOR MAKING ENVELOPES Sheet Filed Nov. 4,1966 m .QQ

b QQ mv :NS uw@ v INVENTOR.

JUSE PH J. DOH/VL/K BY PEA/DLE' TON, /VE'UMA/ .9E/BOLD 8 W/LL/AMSATTORNEYS `lune 17, 1969 .1.J. DoHNALlK MACHINES FOR MAKING ENVELOPES 5ors sheet Filed Nov. 4, 1966 F ig. /3

I NVEN TOR.

JOSEPH d. DOI-l/VlL/l( BY PEA/DLE TON, NEI/MAN SE/BOLD 8 My//LL/MS ATTOWEYS United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 93-62 9 Claims ABSTRACT F THEDISCLOSURE An envelope forming machine for making large diagonal seamenvelopes includes a at horizontal bed, side ap folders, a rotarysegmental applicator and a bottom ap folder over the bed, with pressercarriages extending beneath the applicator shaft and including aplurality of presser rollers disposed over the outer edges of the pathof travel of the envelope blanks and closely adjacent to the outer edgesof the applicator. The presser rollers are mounted on stub shaftsextending inward from a support, and a thin cover plate extends over theinner side of each set of rollers. The carriages are supported forvertical reciprocating adjustment and horizontal sliding adjustment. Themechanism for feeding the blank to the machine includes a rotary drumand two sets of independently resiliently mounted rollers disposed inopposite echelon arrangement for engaging the leading edges of a blankfor forming a diagonal seam envelope.

This invention pertains to machines for malking envelopes andparticularly to apparat-us adapted for forming large diagonal seamenvelopes in high speed envelopeforming machines.

One type of a relatively large envelope which has obtained wideacceptance and use is the so-called open side diagonal seam envelope(sometimes identified as the cross-seam or baronial type envelope).There is a need for mechines capable of producing such envelopeseconomically and at high production rates, Further, it is desirable thatsuch machines be highly ilexible for producing various modilications ofthese envelopes, such as with extensive and/or multicolor printing andwith or without windows, and that the machines be readily adaptable forforming other types of envelopes. Due to the substantial cost of suchmachines, one desirable manner of obtaining the aforementionedcapabilities is by providing for convenient field or operator conversionof existing high speed machines between setups for forming diagonal seamenvelopes and setups for forming other types of envelopes.

A machine presently in use for forming large open side diagonal seamenvelopes from appropriate blanks is the Large Open End Envelope Machineproduced and sold by F. L. Smithe Machine Co. Inc., Duncansville, Pa.This machine has a production capacity on the order of 5000-6000envelopes per hour. Another machine presently in commercial use forforming relatively large envelopes is identified as the Medium Open EndEnvelope Machine (sometimes referred to herein as .the MO machine)produced and sold by said F. L. Smithe Co. Inc. This machine is capableof forming envelopes from blanks at rates on the order of about 18,000envelopes per hour. This machine also has greater capabilities than theLarge Open End Envelope Machine in several other respects, such as inapplying printing to the blanks as the envelopes are being formed.However, a conventional MO machine is no capable of producing certaintypes of envelopes, notably diagonal seam envelopes.

It is an object of this invention to provide improvements in machinesfor producing envelopes. Further objects of this invention are toprovide improved machines for forming large diagonal seam envelopes athigh production rates; to provide improvements for increasing theflexibility of machines for forming envelopes; to provide for productingopen side diagonal seam envelopes on an MO type machine; and to provideimprovements permitting convenient field conversion of such machines forforming various types of envelopes, including diagonal seam envelopes.Further and additional objects and advantages will appear from thedescription, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

.For reference in discussing envelope sizes, it may be noted that aconventional MO machine is adapted for making open end center seamenvelopes in sizes of about 5" to about l2" in width and about 7 toabout 151/2 in length. The machine also may be used for making open endsingle side seam envelopes on the order of 9" in width. Such an MOmachine modified in accordance with the present invention may beutilized for making open side diagonal seam envelopes of the same orslightly larger sizes, i.e., about 6l to about 121/2 wide and about 71toabout 191/2 in length.

While the invention is disclosed and described herein with respect tothe production of diagonal seam envelopes on an M10 machine modified inaccordance with this invention, such a modified machine is also adaptedfor use in forming open side double side seam envelopes (sometimesidentified as booklet type envelopes) with substantially the same setupas for forming diagonal seam envelopes. Further, this modified machinemay be readily converted for forming the various types of envelopes forwhich it is conventionally adapted. In each instance the modifiedmachine retains its basic structure and manner of operation in that eachblank is or may be moved through a seal ap gummer, a dryer, printingstations, a window cutter `and a glassine applicator in a at, opencondition, with the bottom flap at the leading edge and then throughflap closing and envelope discharge apparatus.

In accordance with one illustrative form of this invention, as eachenvelope blank is conveyed through the ilap closing apparatus it iirstmoves through folding apparatus for folding the side flaps over thebody, then through a gummer station where a rotary segmental adhesiveapplicator die positioned over the conveyor applies adhesive to theappropriate edges of the infolded side flaps, and inally through abottom flap folder which folds the bottom flap over the adhesive areason the side flops to complete the balnk. Presser carriages at each endof the applicator engage the edges of the blank as it passes through thegummer station. The folding and gumming of the side aps and the foldingof the bottom flap all occur as the blank moves in a one lineardirection, with the blank moving in a single plane through thesestations.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should nowbe had to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings by way of exampleof the invention.

In the drawings: j

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a machine for making envelopes andemploying teachings of this invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional viewof a carriage mechanism employing teachings of this invention, takengenerally along line 2 2 of FIG. 3; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken generally along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspectiveview of the adhesive applying mechanism of a machine employing teachingsof this invention; FIG. 5 is a side elevation view o-f the mechanism ofFIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a large, open sidediagonal seam envelope; FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 6with the side ilaps folded in; FIG. 8 is a plan view of an open enddouble side seam envelope; FIG. 9 is a plan view of the conveyor, sideflap Iolders and adhesive applicator of the mechanism of ?1GS. 4 and 5;FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an mproved envelope feeder element;FIG. .11 is a top plan /iew of the element of FIG. FIG. 12 is an endview )f a portion of the feed mechanism of a machine as in :IG. 1 andemploying the improved feeder element of FIG. 10; and FIG. 13 is anelevation view of a portion )f the mechanism of FIG. 12.

The invention is illustrated as applied to modify an MO machine forforming large open side diagonal seam envelopes from appropriate blanksB, see FIG. 6. Each blank B includes a body portion 10, a seal 'flap 12,two side flaps 14 and 16, and a bottom flap 18. The flaps are jointed tothe body portion along fold lines 12a, 14a, 16a and 18a, respectively,as illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 1, the machine 20 includes an envelope feeder 22, forinstance of the general type shown in Novick ULS. Patent No. 2,954,225.The feeder 22 feeds blanks B to conveyor belts at 24 which carry theblanks through a seal flap gummer 26, The blanks then are carried bydryer chains 28 through a drying station including heating elements 30.After drying of the adhesive on the seal aps 12, the blanks move alongthe conveyor system of the upper portion of the machine where they maybe subjected to suitable printing elements at the printing station 32and/or a window cutting mechanism at 34 and a window applicator at 36.Thereafter the blanks are conveyed along the upper surface of a flatconveying bed at 38, with the inner surface of the blank upward, thebottom flap extending in the direction of movement (to the right in FIG.1), and the side flaps 14 and 16 extending to the sides of the blank asin FIG. 6. As they move over bed 38 the blanks pass through a side flapfolding station at 40 where the side flaps are folded inwardly over thebody 10 as shown in FIG. '7, then through a gummer station 42 whereadhesive is applied to the upwardly exposed edges 16b and 14b of theside flaps (see FIG. 7) and through the bottom iiap folder 44 where thebottom tiap 18 is folded over the body 10 with its edges overlying thegummed edges 16h and 14b and is pressed against these edges. Thecompleted open side envelope is then removed from the machine, as by aconveyor (not shown) moving laterally of conveyor 38 at the right of thebottom flap folder 44 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 9, the conveyor 38 is of conventionalconstruction comprising a support bed with a generally planar uppersurface and a plurality of drive rollers 46 and 48 having theiruppermost peripheral edges projecting slightly above the upper surfaceof the support bed. A presser belt 50 is supported with a flightcontiguous to the upper surface of the bed between rollers 48 to assistin moving the blanks over the bed 38. Presser plates 52 overlie therollers 48 at each side of belt 50 and extend to points adjacent theadhesive applicator 42 to assist in maintaining the envelope blankswhich pass thereunder at and in frictional engagement with theunderlying rollers.

Side folders 56 and 58, together with folder Wires 60 and 62 fold theside flaps 14 and 16 over the body 10 as the blank is conveyed throughthe side flap folding station 40. Each side flap folder includeselements to engage, lift, crease and fold the side flaps inwardly overthe body 10 as is generally known in the art. However, the folders 56and 58 are preferably extended, as by including auxiliary plates 56a and58a on the plowshares 561: and 58E. Folder wires 60 and 62 arepositioned in accordance with the size of the envelope blank, and thusthe width of the iiaps being folded.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the gummer apparatus 42includes a gum box 70 which may be of conventional construction. Theillustrated germ box includes a reservoir roller 72 journaled to rotatewith its lower portion in adhesive in a reservoir 74, with a scraper ordoctor blade 76 adjustably mounted as by thumb scews 78 for controllingthe thickness of adhesive on reservoir roller 72. The reservoir roller72 transfers a quantity of adhesive to the surface of transfer roller80, which in turn, is effective to distribute the adhesive to rotaryapplicators 82a and 8211 as indicated in FIG. 5.

The gum box is mounted on a cross bar 84 which is secured to twovertical supports 86. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower portion ofcach of these vertical support bars 86 may include a rack section whichengages a pinion 88 supported on the machine frame 90. A handle or othersuitable means is provided for rotating the pinions 88 and thus foreffecting vertical movement of the gum box 70 between the upperretracted position of FIG. 4 and the lower operative position of FIG. 5.Adjustable stop screws 92 are provided in the ends of bar 84 to abutframe elements of the machine when the gum box is lowered and serve asgauges for positioning the transfer roll in appropriate contact with theapplicator segments 82a and 82b.

The applicator segments 82a and 82b are mounted on a shaft 94 andcomprise appropriate opposed helical segments of a cylindrical surfaceto apply adhesive in the V-shaped pattern of the edge portions 14b and161'; of the infolded side flaps 14 and 16 (see FIG. 7). The shaft 94 isdriven by a sprocket 95 in suitable timed relation with the movement ofenvelope blanks therebeneath to apply adhesive to the desired area ofeach such blank. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, each end of the shaft94 is journaled in a block 96 supported on a compression spring 98 in aguideway in a side support plate 99, with an adjustable abutment screw100 for effecting fine vertical adjustment of the block 96 and thus ofthe applicator segments 82a and 32b. Gear 101 on shaft 94 engages a gear(not shown) on the shaft of roller 80 to drive the gum box rollers.

A convex recess (not shown) may be provided beneath the applicators82a-82b to avoid application of gum to the underlying bed in the eventof a missed blank. Alternatively, other known arrangements may beincluded to allow for missed blanks.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 9, a first pair of rollercarriages 102 and 104 are mounted at the in-feed side of the gummerstation, and a second pair of carriages 106 and 108 are supported at theoutput side of the gummer station. The two carriages at each side of thebed are aligned with one another (see FIG. 9) and extend beneath thedrive shaft 94 to points closely adjacent one another, whereby eachaligned pair 102-106 and 104-108 forms an essentially continuousarticulated carriage assembly at the respective side of the adhesiveapplication station. The area over the folders, between the presser beltand the gummer apparatus, is thus open to permit unobstructed folding ofwire side flaps such as aps 14 and 16.

The construction of the illustrated presser carriages will be describedwith reference to the carriages 104 and 108, it being understood thatcarriages 102 and 106 are of identical though reversed construction,being right hand units instead of left hand units as in the instance ofcarriages 104 and 108.

Referring rst to carriage 104 in FIGS. 2 and 3, a carriage bracket 110includes an upright post portion 112 secured to a rack section 114 whichis slidably received in a vertical slideway 116 in a carriage slide 118.The rack .114 engages a splined pinion shaft 120 (see also FIG. 4). Amounting bar 122 is secured to the carriage bracket 110 by a pluralityof cap screws 124, and a carrier plate 126 is mounted on the bar 122. Aplurality of roller brackets 128 are journaled on studs 130 which aremounted on support plate 126 and project toward a cover plate 132 on theopposite side of the carriage. Each roller bracket 128 carries a roller134 freely rotatably journaled on a stub shaft 136 supported on therespective bracket. A compression spring 138 is confined between thesupport bar 122 and the distal or free end of each bracket 128 to -urgethe respective roller 134 downwardly against envelope blanks which passbetween the roller and the underlying conveyor bed. Thus, the rollersassist in creasing the blanks along the side ap fold lines and insurefrictional drive-engagement between the blanks and the underlying drivenrollers of the conveyor.

It will be noted that each roller 134 is supported entirely by thesupport plate 126 and that this support plate is disposed on the outwardside of the carriage 104. The inner plate 132 serves only a covering andguard function, e.g., to prevent adhesive on the applicator segmentsand/ or on the enveloped blanks from coming into contact with therollers. Accordingly, the plate 132 may be of very thin material and maybe positioned closely adjacent the inner surface of the rollers 134.This permits the outermost edges of the adhesive applicators 82a-82b tobe operated very close to the inner edges of the rollers 134 whereby theadhesive may be applied very close to the outer edges of the envelopeblanks which are gripped beneath the rollers 134.

Carriage 106 is of substantially the same construction as describedabove regarding the carriage 104 and includes a carriage bracket 140`having a vertical post section 142 joined to a rack segment 144 andslidably engaged in ya vertical slideway 146 extending through acarriage slide 148. The rack segment 144 meshes with a splined segmentof a pinion shaft 150 (see also FIG. 4). A support bar 152 is joined tocarriage bracket 140 by cap screws 154 and carries a support plate 156.Roller brackets 158 are mounted on studs 160 secured to the supportplate 156. Rollers 164 are journaled on stub shafts 166 which aremounted on brackets 158, and compression springs 168 are conned betweensupport bar 152 and the outer ends of brackets 158 to urge the rollers164 downward against envelope blanks passing therebeneath. A thin coverplate (not shown), corresponding to cover plate 132, extends parallel tosupport plate 156 at the opposite side of the rollers 164.

Parts of the carriages 102 and 106 are referred to herein by the samenumerals as used in describing corresponding parts of carriages 104 and108, but with prime notations added, e.g. 110.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the carriage slides 118 and 118 are slidablysupported on a support bar 170 extending across the bed 38. Slides 118and 118 are fixed in any given lateral position on bar 170iv by clampingscrews 172 and 172. The carriage slides 148 and 148 are supported in thesame manner on a transverse support bar 174, being secured in thedesired lateral position through hand screws as at 176 (see FIG. 2). Itwill 'be appreciated that the slidable engagement of the four carriageslides on bars 170 and 174 and the slidable engagement of thecorresponding racks on the splines of pinion shafts 120 and 150 permitlateral adjustment of the carriages 102 and 104 for convenientadjustment to envelopes of various widths. It will be appreciated thatan individual pinion gear may be provided for each carriage, with suchgears being slidably lmounted on drive shafts of appropriateconfiguration in place of the shafts 120 and 150.

Rotation of pinion shafs 120 and 1504 effects vertical adjustment of therespective pairs of carriages. Handles may be provided on the ends ofthe pinion shafts, as at 178, 178', 180 and 180' (see FIG. 5) forconvenient rotation of these shafts by the operator from either side ofthe machine. Suitable locking means also may be provided for securingthe shafts in a desired position of vertical adjustment of the variouscarriages.

The carriages 102-108, in their vertical adjustment, reciprocate alongpaths normal to the axis of rotation of the adhesive applicators82a-82b, and thus parallel to the plane of rotation of the outer ends ofthese applicators. Any preset clearance between the carriages and theapplicators will be maintained as the carriages are raised and lowered.This avoids any danger of damaging the machine due to interference ofthese parts should an operator start the machine with the carriagesraised or attempt to adjust the carriages vertically while the plicatorsare rotating. Accordingly, may be set up for operation with very littleclearance between the outermost edges of the adhesive applicators andthe inner surfaces of the carriage guard plates. Considering furtherthat the guard plates are formed of thin material and are closelyadjacent the presser rollers, adhesive may be applied to the blanksclosely adjacent the edges gripped beneath the presser rollers, .e.close to fold lines 14a and 16a in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 5, the bottom ap folder 44 may be of a type known -inthe art. For instance, the illustrated folder normally includes a liftercomb (not shown) journalled just beneath the upper surface of bed 38 andwhich moves upward briefly as each successive envelope blank approachesto direct the leading edge of a bottom apthe machine safely flap upwardalong the forward face of bottom Hap skids l 180. As the bottom ap foldline 18a aproaches the lower end of the skids 180, tucker blades 182mounted on a pivot shaft 184 assist in folding the blank B at line 18aand in feeding this fold between the lower ends of skids and the uppersurface of bed 38. Thereupon, the continued movement of the envelope, toythe right in FIG. 5, results in folding of the bottom flap over theinfolded side flaps. Appropriate means are provided to press the bottomap against the underlying side flaps to complete Ithe adhesion of theoverlapping edges of the three aps.

The feed mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is a part of a feederof the general structure and arrangement shown in the Novick U.S."Patent No. 2,954,225 as aforenoted The illustrated components include adrum 200, feed belts 202, 204 and 206, with suitable support rollers asillustrated, guide arms 208, deflectors 210, a stationary shaft 212, arocker lever 214 mounted on shaft 212, a rocker arm 216 also mounted onshaft 212, a rod 217 connecting rocker 216 with deflector 210, trackcams (not shown) mounted on shaft 218 for actuating rockers 214 and 216,and arms 220 pivotally mounted `on pins 222. The illustrated components,in cooperation with other elements (not shown) withdraw envelope blanksone at a time from a stack of blanks supported above drum 200 and feedthese blanks -between the belts 202 and 204. The belts 204 and 206,which comprise the conveyor belts 24 of FIG. 1, then feed the blanksthrough the seal ap gummer 26, and thereafter deliver them to the chains28 for conveying to the drying station.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 13, Ithere are two arms 220,comprising right and left-hand versions designated as 220 and 220. Arm220 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 10 and l1. lReferringthereto, a `base arm 221 supports vthree lingers 222, 224 and 226journaled on a lateral shaft 228. Presser rollers 230, 232 and 234 arejournaled on stub shafts mounted in the outer ends of the respectivefingers 222, 224 and 226. The central nger 224 is provided with asubstantially square end at 227 which is disposed adjacent acorresponding surface `or shoulder on the base arm 221 whereby nger 224has rather limited pivotal movement about the axis of shaft I228.Fingers 222 and 226 are freely pivoted on shaft 28 and are urgeddownward, into contact with drum 200 by leaf springs 236 and 238. These`springs are secured at one end to arm 220 by rivets 240, the outer endof spring 236 bearing on the outer end of finger 222 and the outer endof spring 238 bearing on the outer end of linger 226. A stud 242 isengaged by a ltension spring 244 |(see FIG. 12) which urges the outerend of arm 221, and thus the rollers 230, 232 and 234 toward drum 200.The mounting arrangement for the ngers 222, 224 and 226 insures that allthree rollers will conform -to and remain in yielding contact with thesurface of the drum 200.

As will be seen in FIG. 13, arm 220' is of the same construction as arm220 lexcept that the three rollers 230', 232 and 234' thereon aredisposed in opposite echelon arrangement. The angular arrangement of-the two sets of rollers on arms 220 and 220 conforms to the includedangle between the two sides of the leading edge of 'bottom ap 18 wherebythis type of pointed flap will be engaged by all six rollers of the arms220 and 220 for improved positive feeding of this type of blank by thefeed mechanism 22.

It will be obvious that other modifications of the specilic embodimentshown may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention.

While the illustrated machine is adapted for forming diagonal seamenvelopes, it readily may be converted to the formation of double sideseam envelopes D (FIG. 8) by the substitution of appropriate adhesiveapplicator segments on shaft 94. An added advantage it that the machinealso may be converted for use in forming other envelopes in itsconventional manner of operation `simply by raising the gum box unit 70to an inactive position as shown in FIG. 4 and utilizing the gummernormally positioned beneath bed 38 ahead of the side flap foldingstation 40 (to the left of folding station 40 in FIG. 1). Thus `thepresent improvements increase the exibility of the machine 20 byproviding for its use in forming additional types of envelopes withoutin any Way impeding or impairing its use for forming envelopes inaccordance with its original design.

It will thus be seen that the aforenoted objects have -been met.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited theretosince modications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularlyin light of the foregoing teachings. Therefore, it is contemplated bythe appended claims to cover any -such modifications as incorporatethose features which may be said to constitute the essential features ofthese improvements, within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

l claim:

1. Envelope forming apparatus adapted for making diagonal seam envelopescomprising means for conveying an envelope blank, an adhesive applicatorpositioned over said conveying means for applying adhesive to blanksconveyed thereby, said adhesive applicator including two segmental diesin opposed helical arrangement on a rotatable support for applyingadhesive to a blank in a V- shaped pattern, presser means disposed ateach outer edge of said applicator for engaging such blanks, and anenvelope blank feeder for feeding blanks to said conveying means, saidfeeder comprising a rotary feeder element and a pair of arms pivotallysupported adjacent thereto, a plurality of presser rollers supported oneach of said arms, each roller being supported on the respective arm formovement toward `and away from said element independently of the otherof said rollers on such arm, each of said rollers being yieldably urgedagainst said element, said rollers on each of said arms `being disposedalong a line extending at an angle to the axis of rotation of saidelement to simultaneously engage an edge of a blank for forming adiagonal seam envelope.

2. Envelope forming apparatus as in claim 1 including a plurality of`lingers independently pivotally mounted on each of said arms, one ofsaid rollers being rotatably mounted on each of said fingers, and meansfor yieldably positioning one of said lingers on each arm relative toanother of said fingers thereon.

3. Envelope forming apparatus adapted for making diagonal seam envelopescomprising means for conveying an envelope blank, an adhesive applicatorpositioned over said conveying means for applying adhesive to blanksconveyed thereby, said adhesive applicator including two segmental diesin opposed helical arrangement on a rotatable support for applyingadhesive to a `blank in a V- shaped pattern, presser means disposed ateach outer edge of said applicator for engaging such blanks, and anenvelope blank feeder for feeding blanks to said conveying means, saidfeeder comprising a rotary feeder element, two sets of presser rollers,each of said sets comprising a plurality of rollers, and means forsupporting said rollers, each roller of each of said sets beingsupported thereby for movement toward and away from said elementindependently of the other of said rollers of the respective set, eachof said rollers being yieldably urged against said element, and saidrollers of each of Said sets being disposed along a line extending at anangle to the axis of rotation of said element to simultaneously engagean edge of a blank for forming a diagonal seam envelope.

4. Envelope forming apparatus comprising a generally horizontal planarbed, means for conveying envelope blanks over said bed, a rotaryadhesive applicator positioned over said bed for applying adhesive tosuch blanks being conveyed thereover, and elongated presser meansdisposed over said bed adjacent each outer edge of said applicator forengaging the edges of blanks passing beneath said applicator, each ofsaid elongated presser means extending transverse the axis of rotationof said applicator and being mounted for vertical reciprocating movementtoward and away from said bed, wherein each of said presser meansincludes roller support means extending transverse the axis of rotationof said applicator and a plurality of rollers rotatably supported onsaid support means.

5. Envelope forming apparatus comprising a generally horizontal planarbed, means for conveying envelope blanks over said bed, a rotaryadhesive applicator positioned over said bed for applying adhesive tosuch blanks being conveyed thereover, and elongated presser meansdisposed over said bed adjacent each outer edge of said applicator forengaging the edges of blanks passing beneath said applicator, each ofsaid elongated presser means extending trans-verse the axis of rotationof said applicator and being mounted for vertical reciprocating movementtoward and away from said bed, wherein each of said presser meansincludes a support extending along the outer side of the path of travelof blanks on said conveying means and a plurality of rollers eachsupported solely on said support and extending over the adjacent path oftravel of a lateral edge of such blanks.

6. Envelope forming apparatus as in claim S wherein each of said pressermeans includes a cover plate extending adjacent said rollers on the sidethereof remote from said support.

7. Envelope forming apparatus comprising a generally horizontal planarbed, means for conveying envelope blanks over said bed, a rotaryadhesive applicator positioned over said bed for applying adhesive tosuch blanks being conveyed thereover, and elongated presser meansdisposed over said bed adjacent each outer edge of said applicator forengaging the edges of blanks passing beneath said applicator, each ofsaid elongated presser means extending transverse the axis of rotationof said applicator and being mounted for vertical reciprocating movementtoward and away from said bed, wherein said applicator is mounted on ashaft extending transversely of said conveying means, each of saidpresser means comprising two presser carriages with one carriagesupported at one side of said shaft and the other supported at the otherside of said shaft, said two carriages of each presser means beingAaligned with one another and extending into adjacent relation to oneanother beneath said shaft.

8. Envelope forming apparatus comprising a generally horizontal planarbed, means for conveying envelope blanks over said bed, a rotaryadhesive applicator positioned over said bed for applying adhesive tosuch blanks being conveyed thereover, elongated presser means disposedover said bed adjacent each outer edge of said applicator for engagingthe edges of blanks passing beneath said applicator, each of saidelongated presser means extending transverse the axis of rotation ofsaid applicator and being mounted for vertical reciprocating movementtoward and away from said bed, and means supporting each of said pressermeans for relative Ipositioning transversely of said conveying means,each of said supporting means including a rack, a rotatable drive shaftextending transversely of said conveying means, and means for engagingeach of said racks with said drive shaft as said presser means areadjusted transversely of said conveying means, whereby the clearance ofsaid presser means from said conveying means may be varied by rotationof said drive shaft.

9. Envelope forming apparatus `as in claim 8 including a support barextending parallel to said drive shaft, said presser means beingsupported on said support bar for References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTSBerkowitz 93-62 Bergstein.

Staude 93--62 X Novick.

Heywood 93-62 Novick 271-1 Clem 93-52 WAYNE A'. MORSE, JR., PrimaryExaminer.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

selective positioning transversely of said conveying means. 15 93-3 6,52, 6l, 73; 271-2 P04050 UNM" CD S'lATES PA'lEN'l OFFICE (5/69)CERTiMCf/ME OF CGRHEUHON Parent No. 3,450,009 Dated l July 9, 1969Inventum@ Joseph J. Dohnalik l- Column l, line 39, "mechines" shouldread It is ccrLFiod that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters: Patent are hereby corrected as shot-m below:

machines line Url, "rates, should read rates. line 62, "F. L. Smithe Co.Inc. should read F. L. Smithe Machine Co. Inc. line 69, nno" should readnot Column 2, line 22, I'19g-l/2" should read 9-1/2 line #8, "flops"should read flaps g line 49, "balnk1l should read blank Column 5, line59, "shafs" should read shafts Column 6, line 18, "apr'oaches" shouldread SIGNED AND SEALED MAR 2 4,1970

(SEAL) Attest:

Eawwn M, Fsemher Jr. v WILLMM E. sulfuymi, JR Attestlng COIOIHSSOIIBI'of Patents

